Since COVID testing in the Valley began, there have been almost 7,000 swabs performed locally.
An initial assessment centre was set up at the Drumheller Health Centre on April 27 of this year. As of December 6, Melissa Ballantyne, communications for Alberta Health Services (AHS), says there have been 6,676 swabs performed.
“COVID-19 testing is available to all Albertans with symptoms, close contacts of confirmed cases, and those linked to an outbreak. Testing is by appointment only; there are no drop-in services. It remains important to follow all public health measures including; using a mask, washing or sanitizing your hands often, physical distancing, and limiting your cohort to limit the spread of COVID-19,” she stated in an email.
In October the assessment centre was moved to a new location on Highway 10.
“The safety of our staff and volunteers at assessment sites, as well as the safety of patients accessing swabbing, continues to be our priority. As such, we made changes at our drive-through locations in order to provide protection from cold weather exposure. In October, we relocated several of our drive-through locations across the zone to indoor locations,” stated the release.
The new indoor locations, along with the recruitment of more staff, have allowed the centre to increase its testing capacity. The highest number of daily swabs completed was 177 on November 26.
As of December 7, there are 23 active cases of COVID-19 and 96 recovered. There have been two deaths.

After an unsuccessful search for a postmaster, Canada Post has permanently closed the Rosedale Post office.
This decision came at the end of October.
“In consultation with municipal leaders and the community, a decision was made at the end of October to install permanent community mailboxes to serve residents, reads a statement from Nicole Lecompte, media relations with Canada Post. “The installation date and location of the mailboxes is yet to be determined although, weather permitting, we hope to proceed with the installation early in the new year.”
The post office previously had just over 180 mailboxes.
In the interim, Rosedale residents can continue to pick up their mail at the Drumheller Post Office during its regular hours. Customers must provide government-issued photo identification to pick up their mail. Customers can pick up mail on behalf of someone else with a letter of authorization and valid government-issued photo identification.
“We thank the residents of Rosedale for their patience and understanding as we look to resume delivery in the community as soon as possible,” stated the release.